Brighton Finally Confirm Midfielder On Five-Year Deal

Brighton and Hove Albion confirmed the arrival of Yves Bissouma late yesterday evening.

The 21-year-old became our sixth signing of the summer for manager Chris Hughton’s first team as we go into our second successive Premier League campaign, and he joins us for an undisclosed fee from French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille.

He heads into the Amex Training Centre on a five-year deal until the summer of 2023 and given all the speculation about him on the rumour mill, it’s nice to finally have it over the line as our preparations for 2018/19 continue.

Speaking to the Official Site after watching him put pen to paper and head out for the usual PR stuff, Hughton explained.

“We are delighted to have signed Yves, and are pleased to welcome him to the club. We have been keen to strengthen the squad in the central midfield positions, and this will add to our options in this area. I am very much looking forward to working with him. He is someone with good technical ability on the ball, and has good experience at a relatively young age, after playing regularly in a competitive French league for the past two seasons.”

Having begun his career with Malian side AS Real Bamako, he made the move to Lille in 2016. He went on to make 55 appearances for the side, with a return of four goals across two seasons, helping them to retain their Ligue 1 status in 2017/18. He’s also a full Mali international having made his debut back in 2015.

I still doubt we paid the amount originally speculated the other day but we could have a gem on our hands if he settles and adjusts nicely to the English top-flight.